New Delhi: India Tuesday said it continues to remain “concerned” over developments in Afghanistan, even as it emphasised that the country should not be used for “sheltering, training, planning or financing” terror networks such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed.
“As a neighbouring country of Afghanistan, we are naturally concerned about the developments within that country and their external repercussions. India has a civilisational relationship with the Afghan people and those long-standing links guided and will continue to guide our approach,” said Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, who was speaking at an online symposium.
He added that while most Indian nationals were able to leave Kabul when Taliban forces took over the Afghan capital on 15 August, the evacuation process could not be completed due to the deteriorating security situation at the airport.
“Subsequent to the recent changes in Afghanistan, our immediate focus has been the evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan. Most Indian nationals were able to leave Kabul in August,” the foreign secretary said.
“A number of Afghans, including minorities, who were desirous of travelling to India, also managed to do so. But these processes could not be completed due to the security situation at the airport,” he added. “Resumption of flights from Kabul airport is, therefore, a priority. We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation.”
Reiterating the fact that it was under India’s month-long presidency in August that the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2593 (2021), Shringla said, “UNSCR 2593 unequivocally demands that Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts; and specifically refers to terrorist individuals proscribed by the UN Security Council, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.”
‘International community must stand with people of Afghanistan’
At the UN Tuesday, Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, who spoke at the 48th Session of Human Rights Council, in Geneva, also highlighted New Delhi’s concern for Afghanistan.
“The situation in Afghanistan continues to be of grave concern,” she said, adding that the UNSC Resolution 2593 “should guide the international community’s approach to Afghanistan”.
“It (resolution) reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights including those of women, children and minorities, allowing safe passage for those wanting to leave Afghanistan and ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian assistance,” she said. “The international community must stand with the people of Afghanistan in their desire to live in peace and dignity.”
The Taliban dispensation there announced a new interim government in Kabul on 7 September. The interim government has in key positions individuals who are on the UN blacklist for terrorist activities.
(Edited by Arun Prashanth)
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